Disability

This image sows a ladder leaning up against a wall that is partially drywalled and partially torn apart.

A Caregiver’s Struggle: Balancing an Elder’s Sense of Purpose with Their Safety

Most seniors need to feel useful to enjoy a high quality of life. They maintain a sense of purpose by sticking to their everyday...

The image shows a white brick wall in the background. The foreground shows a black man sitting with his head bowed in sadness. He's bald, and is wearing a light blue dress shirt and medium blue jeans. He has his arms resting on his knees, with one hand over the other.

Reducing Loneliness: How to Help Older Adults During the Holidays

There is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The season is supposed to be merry and bright, but...

Image shows an older woman with short gray hair and dark-rimmed glasses using an inhaler. She's wearing an orange hoodie.

Losing the Ability to Swallow: How to Help Someone With Dysphagia

Coping with an ill loved one’s difficulty swallowing can be frustrating and frightening for everyone involved. Caring for someone we love means nurturing and...

An older woman with very long gray hair is wearing a celery green sweater with an open jacket over it. She has her eyes closed contentedly as a younger woman with long brown hair lays her head against the elder's chest. The younger woman wears a cream-colored sweater though all we see is the shoulders.

The Persistent Stigma Attached to Dementia Encourages Denial

Dear Carol: People write to you to complain about someone who, despite evidence, denies that they have dementia. I think I know why. At...

Image background is a barely visible assisted living common room. Foreground shows two men. On the left is an older man, balding with a little gray hair. He's wearing a cream cardigan over a dark shirt. Next to him is his middle-aged son who has short, light brown hair. He's wearing a gray scarf around his neck over his dark jacket

Dementia Caregiver’s Experience Brought Premium Incontinence Protection To the US

Note: Egosan is one of my fine sponsors, so I’m proud to occasionally tell you about them. Here’s their story: As is the case...

Image shows a blurred background of an with a speeding ambulance in the foreground. Ambulance shows red and blue graphics on white.

Elder Care Needs Can Change in an Instant

During the years I cared for multiple elders, I grew to dread the ringing of the telephone. It seemed most calls meant emergencies. One...

Exterior of one-story multiple dwelling, each apartment with its own exterior door. Roof has series of dormers. Grass in the forground.

The Process of Convincing Your Parent to Move to Indepent Living

Aging In Place vs. Assisted Living: Professional in-home care and a medical alert system are sufficient for some seniors to remain at home safely...

The background is a wooden slat bench or deck. Foreground shows various tools spread about including a hammer, pliers, screwdriver and more.

How Hiring a Handyman Can Help Your Older Parents

Years ago I saw a van whose driver was letting teenagers off in front of the local high school, where I was doing the...

Some Tips If You Suspect Abuse in Your Parent’s Retirement Home or Facility

I think most of us approach the idea of sharing the care of an elder with a lot of trepidation. We have cared for...

Livingroom with white fireplace full of brown packing boxes ready to fill for a move

Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?

As a columnist for a newspaper on the northern plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents to “come...